Twas an ordinary Sunday in Philadelphia in the wintertime - and not the good part of wintertime. It was the part of the winter season when the Christmas excitement had already passed, it was way too cold, and your next day off isn't until Memorial day. That part of winter. Ole Kenneth Grady Hackett wasn't thinking that he would have one of the most life-changing moments of his life on a day like that. Turns out, he'd meet the person that just so happened to be the most intelligent, motivated, peaceful, friendly, loyal, hilarious, humble, athletic, responsible, respectful, patient and knock-dead gorgeous person he had ever met and ever would. Sunday afternoons meant it was time for some rec league volleyball at a gym in South Philly. Our narrator Grady decided that he would head over to the gym early before the usual crew started rolling in so that he could set up the volleyball net and even mop the floor (#Squeeky). Soon, all of Philadelphia's finest volleyballers would start coming in to the gym with their shoes in one hand and their bottles of Advil in the other (we are getting old). This Sunday was a little bit different, because your favorite person named Grady (hopefully...) got a call from a friend. This friend said that a new person would be coming to play today. He told me her name was Kirsten, and that she was "cool". Bit of an under-estimation in my opinion but that's neither here nor there. Just moments later, she walks in the door of the gym. No advil. While your boi K.G. is ever the cool, calm and collected type... His mammalian instincts took control the moment that this beautiful women walk in, and so he did what any other cartoon character would do when he sees the future love of his life... His eyes turned into hearts and he began to comically float towards her like a bear when it smells a fresh pie in the window. "Whoa. Relax man. Play it cool." - said the inner, logical voice inside his head. Taking heed, he landed on the ground and took a deep breath. A plan emerged. He then started walking not directly towards her (for that would be too direct and hasty) but towards the utility closet. "Why?" - might you ask, dear reader. Well - because our hopeless romantic hero was gonna go to the closet to get the mop so that he could look busy mopping. Then once he starting mopping the floor (that he had already mopped thoroughly... All for the cause), he might have a change to walk by this shining gem of a women and say something casual and funny, but also mysterious and alluring. But not trying too hard. But not too casual. It was a delicate balance of intellectual and affectionate that he was attempting to achieve. And he would settle for no less than perfection.... "I like you shoes. Are those Kobe's?" - that's what he decided on. I'm shifting into first person now. And I don't remember what she said after I asked that. It was something kind and cheery and sweet. I was occupied. It was the first time that we made eye contact, and I saw the beautiful green eyes of the woman who I now realize I get to call on every day for my whole life. She told me her name and then I said it back to her - pronouncing it wrong. That's ok - she called me Brady. A match made in heaven. <3 Since then we have worked out lots of details. For one, we both know AND say each other's names correctly. Lots of other stuff too. We love each other's families like they are our own. We have an apartment together and two cats. We play lots of volleyball together, do a bunch of ridiculous voices all the time, go camping together in my dumb little car, reluctantly watch each other's TV shows and then end up really invested, and spend WAY too much time just sitting around and talking with 2000s rnb in the background. I am freaking out with joy that Kirsten is going to be my wife. And if you read all of this - I am so excited that you are gonna be with us to celebrate. We will see you in May!